Methadone?

Question

I have a friend who has recently started taking the drug Methadone. I understand that it's a drug commonly taken by recovering heroin adicts, but my friend's never been on heroin.

What my question is, is what kind of effects will this have on her and how harmful is it. Is it bad enough that I should step in and risk my friendship with her, or should I just play the blind eye?

I'm really looking for specifics about Methadone - not a Wikipedia link.

Thanks!

Answer 1

As her friend it would be a good thing to express your concern, it is what friends do.

One of the most serious effects of methadone is that of addiction.

If your friend is experiencing a great deal of pain as the result of a medical condition, for example a ruptured disc in her spine, and that pain is chronic and not expected to be relieved without surgery or narcotics, then it is appropriate for a physician to perscribe methadone.

I have two friends who are perscribed methdone as part of a palliative therapy. Both experience debilitating and severe pain from serious injury.

A physician may discuss the spefic techniques of methodone therapy and its risks. Your own physician would be a good place to start to learn the specifics of such therapy.

The association of methadone and herion addiction, is not a cause to jump to conclusions as to its use.

Answer 2

Are you saying she's getting this off the street to get high or from a Dr. for a condition? I'm assuming you mean she's abusing this since you bring up the question of stepping in.
Most people associate this with heroin detox but in the last several years it has become a more viable option for chronic pain sufferers.
I have taken this for chronic back pain and, personally, I don't see why someone would abuse this in the first place. Maybe it's because my tolerence is different but I've never felt anything from taking this except sleepy at times. For me, it doesn't do much for pain and it certainly doesn't get me "high". I do take a rather small dose though and it is used to compliment other things I take.
But again, the main issue is what she's taking this for. If she's getting it from a Dr. there's no reason to intervene. If she's getting ot from the street I'd say you should say something because it can be a very dangerous drug. Since it is so long acting there is a real danger of taking too much, thinking you haven't had enough (if you're trying to get high) and then before you know it you've taken too much without even knowing it.

Answer 3

Methadone is an opioid. It causes euphoria, relaxation, pain relief, etc. You can function normally on it if you don't abuse it.

It's commonly used as a replacement for heroin for addicts, to be tapered off slowly over months/years, but it's also used for pain relief by many doctors. Methadone lasts upwards of 24 hours per dose, versus the 4 to 6 hours that most other opioids like heroin, morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone last for. This makes it much more addictive - the withdrawal lasts a lot longer if you quit methadone cold turkey instead of quitting heroin cold turkey. The main reason that methadone became popular as a heroin replacement was that if you inject methadone, it does not give you a rush like most other opioids. It gets you just as high, but it kicks in as slowly when injected as it does when eaten, removing incentives to use needles or use higher doses.

Answer 4

there are many factors here. how old is your friend? if she is in her 20s then no way. if shes in her 50s then mabey. second has she been fighting an opiate addiction for so long that there is no other option? methadone is highly addictive and should only be used for weaning off porposes however because it is leagaly prescribed it is commonly misused by leaving patients on it for years and years and years. it is harder to get of of then heroin and has a stronger and longer lasting withdrawl. methadone is commonly refered to as liquid handcuffs because a person is stuck going to the methadone clinic every day and cannot go anywhere away from their home area for overnight trips as a result. many people see it as an easy way off dope, oxys,percoset ect but it is not unless it is only used for detox by substituting methadone for opiates and weaning off methadone over a period of 1 week otherwise you develope a methadone habit and are in worse shape then when you started out.
seriously.
i suggest your friend go to a detox then rehab and join a 12 step program NA or AA because there are other people out there fighting the same disease that she is and there is no reason she should do it on her own. and it is a disease.

if shes going to take it for pain she should try somthing else unless she wants to be nodding out and drooling all over herself for extended peroiods of time